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If you frequently read ASE Labs (and you should), you'll see that we do many input device reviews. The families brands like Logitech are a known entity in most cases. Verbatim is inching in on the market with new products and we have their latest notebook style mouse. The Verbatim Nano Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse hopes to claim a piece of the large notebook mouse market and competition is good for all consumers. We have already seen what Verbatim can do with normal optical technology, now we get to see the upgraded laser technology in action.

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Since its beginning in 1969, Verbatim has been at the forefront of the evolution in data storage technology. Today, more than 39 years later, Verbatim remains one of the most recognizable names in the data storage industry.

Customer-driven, Verbatim is known for adding considerable product value--above and beyond its competitors--to established media technology. As an industry pioneer, Verbatim is recognized for the role it plays in early product development and commercial product introduction of new technologies. Verbatim's leadership role is especially apparent in the evolution of optical media recording including MO and the CD/DVD family of products.

Along with its technological innovations, Verbatim has always been recognized universally for its superior manufacturing practices. Verbatim was the first media company to receive ISO certification, the de facto standard for quality management systems worldwide. This commitment to quality translates into consistent product performance and reliability. In addition, Verbatim provides toll-free technical support and service to enable its customers to maximize the performance of its products.

As a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, a recognized world leader in the chemical and computer industries, Verbatim is ideally positioned to take advantage of changes in the market while continuing to challenge the frontiers of data storage.

The retail packaging for the Verbatim Nano Wireless Notebook Mouse is clear, flexible plastic. It allows you to see the product that you'll be buying. This style of packaging is pretty popular as opposed to the clamshell style which tends to get buyers cut upon opening the package. We've had this happen a few times. Thankfully, you don't need to worry as this is an easy opening package.

The back of the packaging contains a few of the features that this mouse has. The basics are that it is highly sensitive, wireless, and has a receiver rest built into the mouse for convenience.

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Go Trendy! Get on the move with this stylish and convenient Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse from Verbatim. The unique design features a glossy Mercury finish and a see-through side that lets you view the scroll wheel—this mouse is a conversation piece! The small nano receiver plugs into the USB port on your laptop and can stay—no need to plug and unplug a bulky receiver! Besides a great look and nano convenience, this mouse features a 1600 DPI Sensor that offers quick and precise movement on almost any surface as well as 3 sleep modes for improved battery life.

Verbatim includes the receiver and mouse along with a set of Energizer AAA batteries. If you have a notebook mouse that doesn't take standard sized batteries, you might be in a world of hurt when the power goes out of the mouse and you're stuck using the track pad or nub. Sometimes internal rechargeable batteries aren't the answer and this is one of those times. You can still opt to use AAA rechargeable batteries if you'd like.

The Nano Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse has a unique way of storing the tiny receiver. Since most wireless mouse companies have moved to this very tiny receiver, they have ways of storing the receiver with the mouse so it doesn't get lost in transit. You can see the size comparison in this shot.

The receiver slides into the bottom of the mouse when not in use. Compared to Logitech's method of inserting the receiver into the mouse directly, this has some drawbacks. One of them is that you must turn the mouse off and on and there is a switch. If you forget to turn the mouse off, you might be stuck with dead batteries. There is a connect button on the bottom of the mouse, but we never had to use it as the receiver and the mouse are already paired out of the box. There is a rather bright red LED on the bottom to let you know the mouse is on. It was pretty blinding for a red LED. The battery compartment is under the labeled plastic door.

One of the highlights of this mouse is the opened view of the mouse wheel. While it is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, it adds an area to grip with your fingers. Some people may not like the feel of the mouse due to this feature. Make sure you go to a store and feel it yourself before buying it.

The mouse is pretty small. Here we see the Nano compared to a standard CD. The receiver is equally diminutive. People with big hands might shun away from this one since it is tiny compared to standard desktop mice. Since this is a notebook mouse, the size is in-line with others in the same category.

This mouse is shiny. It is very glossy and all the lights bounced right off it. This is the "Mercury Finish" that Verbatim touts for this product line. It is a very unique look with the lines and the sharp, shiny silver and black scroll wheel. The two mouse buttons are one piece with the top instead of two individual plastic pieces.

The Verbatim logo is emblazoned on the back in a gray color. The mouse comes in a few different colors. If you have a certain color in mind, Verbatim probably has a color scheme to match.

A disclaimer: Since we usually have a single editor doing a review, the sample size for the feel of an input device is far too small to be of use to many people. While we recommend products that are built well, it is very important that you try out an input device for yourself before buying it. Input devices are the most important devices you have for a computer (along with the monitor). You only get one set of hands... at least for the time being. If you don't like how a device feels, all the bells and whistles in the world won't make up for that. Don't compromise on an input device, ever.

The Verbatim Nano Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse has a very high DPI setting of 1600. To give you an idea of what this means, if you have a normal mouse that does 400 DPI, this will be four times as precise. In practice, it means that it will move four times faster than the lower DPI mouse. Make sure you can slow down the speed of the mouse since 1600 DPI is pretty fast. While it is good for twitch game play, it isn't that good for normal computing experiences. One thing we'd like to see is to turn down the DPI setting on the mouse like other mice do. We feel 1600 DPI is too fast for normal use. Just make sure your OS can slow down the mouse speed. You should be fine, then.

Some people may like the extra fast movement that this mouse provides. It is all subjective to the individual. Make sure you try it before you buy it. At the very least, make sure the store has a good return policy.

The see through holes on the sides allow for some extra gripping. This is a nice feature. The singular cut top with the buttons blended into the same piece of plastic works well. The button clicks are very springy. You'll know when you hit the button. The mouse wheel has divots to give you the normal feel instead of a smooth scroll. Personally, a smooth scrolling wheel isn't as good as a divot based wheel. The stops on the wheels aren't as pronounced as some other mice, but you will be able to feel them. Click action on the scroll wheel is easy. You won't scroll and click by accident.

For a notebook mouse, this gets the job done. It is small, reacts well, and the receiver fits in with the mouse. We would have liked to see the receiver married to the mouse in a way that would turn the mouse off, but perhaps the next product line will have this feature. The high DPI settings takes some getting used to. Once you do, it operates like any other quality laser mouse.

OS support is fine. It is a standard human input device and will be detected on all modern operating systems with USB HID support.

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The mouse has yet to hit retail stores at the time of this review. Verbatim has stated a MSRP of $34.99. This is a bit higher price than it should be. At retail, we gather it should fall into the $20-$30 range as most other notebook mice fall. If you can pick up the Nano at the lower end of the price spectrum, it is a very good deal. Paying MSRP wouldn't be a good deal, but if you tried the mouse out for yourself and liked it, you need to factor that in.

Buying an input device is a very important thing. Make sure you try out whatever you are considering before springing on the purchase. You use these input devices to interact with your computer. You only get one set of hands, treat them well. Personally, I found the mouse to be of a good size and shape (for a notebook type). While the DPI setting was a bit high, you do get used to it after a bit. Verbatim has a good product line with the Nano Wireless Notebook Laser Mouse. We expect more good things to come out of this company in the future. It is good to see healthy competition in the marketplace.

ASE Labs would like to thank Verbatim for making this review possible.